A tip-off to Services Australia detailing illegal claims for a government bushfire subsidy has seen one man convicted at Inverell Local Court.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
David Edward Walker, 34, had his case appear for sentencing on Thursday, charged with recklessly dealing with the proceeds of crime - in his case, money less than $1000 in value received from a Australian Government's Disaster Recovery Payment claim.
Walker failed to appear in April for sentencing, but was afforded another adjournment.
READ ALSO
Yet on Thursday, he again failed to show up to court, and his solicitor was granted leave to withdraw from the case.
The charge came from investigations carried out by Services Australia, who had set up a taskforce for integrity and fraud matters, arising when "information from the public" was given to Services Australia about fraudulent claims.
The information, given to court, outlined that 23 residents at Balund-a - a residential diversionary program for male offenders over 18 years of age at Mookima Wybra - had made claims for the government payment for bushfire-affected residents that "they were not entitled to make".
"Multiple people at Balund-a claimed the payment... it's no excuse," magistrate Holly Kemp said, "it's a serious offence."
In his absence, he was convicted and fined $1000. An order was made for him to pay the Commonwealth's legal costs - a sum of $316.90.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark inverelltimes.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter: @inverelltimes
- Follow us on Instagram @inverelltimes
- Follow us on Google New
